The Case of the Haunted Husband (Curley Large Print Books) [Large Print] [Paperback]

Erle Stanley Gardner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1986 | Series: Curley Large Print Books

Aspiring actress Stephanie Claire just wants to be in pictures. But she may end up in mug shots when she gets herself caught up in a crime. It's up to Perry Mason to find the truth behind a suspicious scenario starring a menacing movie mogul, a hoodwinked housewife, and a man no one ever seen--alive! Reissue.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: John Curley & Assoc (March 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155504008X
• ISBN-13: 978-1555040086
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,384,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The guarded cooperation with Lieutenant Tragg was refreshing, June 2, 2009

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Case of the Haunted Husband (Paperback)

This case is one of the most convoluted of the Perry Mason series by Gardner. After I finished it, it was not quite clear to me who exactly did what. It begins with an attractive female (Stephane) quitting her job and hitchhiking to another, she is picked up by a man in a tuxedo who offers her a drink and then tries to do more. When she resists, the car is involved in a fatal accident and Stephane is charged with vehicular manslaughter. One of Stephane's friends asks Perry Mason to take her case and although it is out of his normal mode, he agrees to do so.
The case quickly becomes one familiar to Mason as one of the key players is murdered, leading to the involvement of Lieutenant Tragg. The best part of this book is when Mason and Tragg find common cause, even to the point where Mason, Della Street, Tragg and Paul Drake go out to dinner together and Tragg dances with Della. When Mason and Tragg verbally spar, probing each other for information, it is clear that both men do respect each other personally and that respect transcends their natural adversarial roles.
The agreement between Tragg and Mason to cooperate is a refreshing aspect of this story, as Gardner so often portrays Mason's adversaries as self-serving stooges that never seem to learn from their failures and Mason's successes. In this case, Tragg is depicted as an intelligent and competent officer just trying to do his duty and see justice served.

3.0 out of 5 stars Uncovering a False Identity, May 12, 2005

By 

Acute Observer (N. Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Case of the Haunted Husband (A Perry Mason Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Case of the Haunted Husband
Stephane Clair quits her job as a hat check girl, and hitch-hikes to Los Angeles. She is picked up by a wealthy man, who drinks and drives fast. There is an accident; people are injured and one dies. But Stephane is found alone in the car, and charged with manslaughter. A friend obtains Perry Mason's help. The owner of this car says it was stolen, and has an alibi. But did he loan this car to a friend? His insurance covers a stolen car, but not one driven by him, or an agent. The investigation of the owner reveals some curious facts, derived from telephone bills (long distance). This leads to a Mrs. Warfield in New Orleans. A promise of a job brings her to Los Angeles (Chapter VII). This chapter gives an example of proper behavior in a job interview, even one designed to investigate the applicant. Mason puts detectives to work on the witnesses. But Mrs. Warfield outsmarts Mason and Drake (Chapter X)! They find the missing driver, but he won't testify in court to clear Stephane.

Information is found that would clear Stephane. But the chauffeur becomes unavailable to testify, like the missing driver. The police and district attorney are wary of Hollywood influence (Chapter XIX). An interview in the hotel room with the widow points to the likely suspect, and confirms Mason's suspicions. Mrs. Warfield is found in hiding, and the story ends. The ending seems logically flawed to me. Its as if Gardner was afraid to offend Hollywood and the powers behind them. One interesting scene is where a person leaves their hotel room and doesn't lock the door; what a sense of security in those days.

3.0 out of 5 stars Uncovering a False Identity, October 27, 2004

By 

Acute Observer (N. Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Case of the Haunted Husband (Mass Market Paperback)

The Case of the Haunted Husband

Stephane Clair quits her job as a hat check girl, and hitch-hikes to Los Angeles. She is picked up by a wealthy man, who drinks and drives fast. There is an accident; people are injured and one dies. But Stephane is found alone in the car, and charged with manslaughter. A friend obtains Perry Mason's help. The owner of this car says it was stolen, and has an alibi. But did he load this car to a friend? His insurance covers a stolen car, but not one driven by him, or an agent. The investigation of the owner reveals some curious facts, derived from telephone bills (long distance). This leads to a Mrs. Warfield in New Orleans. A promise of a job brings her to Los Angeles (Chapter VII). This chapter gives an example of proper behavior in a job interview, even one designed to investigate the applicant. Mason puts detectives to work on the witnesses. But Mrs. Warfield outsmarts Mason and Drake (Chapter X)! They find the missing driver, but he won't testify in court to clear Stephane.

Information is found that would clear Stephane. But the chauffeur becomes unavailable to testify, like the missing driver. The police and district attorney are wary of Hollywood influence (Chapter XIX). An interview in the hotel room with the widow points to the likely suspect, and confirms Mason's suspicions. Mrs. Warfield is found in hiding, and the story ends.

The ending seems logically flawed to me. Its as if Gardner was afraid to offend Hollywood and the powers behind them. One interesting scene is where a person leaves their hotel room and doesn't lock the door; what a sense of security in those days.